The last few Yom Kippurs I have cheerfully bounced to shul in my usual everyday Converse sneakers, thankful for the slab of rubber hugging and protecting my feet throughout the long day.
Yet an article in the Jewish Action gave me pause.
It was about Yom Kippur "myths" - for instance, did you know that since fasting is min haTorah, and the davening service was established later, if a mother would need to consume something on Yom Kippur just to be able to handle her children, her husband who shares the obligation for their children should stay home from shul to help her?
So, anywho, the article continues regarding the concept of no leather shoes. (In the old country, Ma says, they went to shul in socks.) When sneakers were permitted as footwear, it would seem it was because that once they were not as comfortable as leather shoes and did not protect the foot.
The intention was that our feet should be sensitive, to be able to feel the ground beneath the feet. Additionally, one opinion is that shoes that are donned on a daily basis shouldn't be the go-to shoe (there is an opposing opinion, based on the fact that we are "fastidious" nowadays, but I think I can suffer a little).
Guiltily, I concluded that I needed to purchase specific "Yom Kippur" shoes. Scrolling through Amazon, I searched for one that could be easily kicked off during davening, so at least for shul my un-shod feet would suffer in the deep pile carpeting.
(If anyone asks why not Crocs: Crocs are the biggest travesty to footwear out there. They are not flattering, they don't hold feet securely, and children have been caught in escalators. They should be shot.)
But after purchasing five pairs of synthetic shoes, all gave me great pain or were otherwise unwearable. They are all being returned.
Since I have cut myself off from my beloved Converse, I suppose I'll make do with some sad Keds in the back of my closet. For the sensitivity.
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| Via bezbot.blogspot.com |
Guiltily, I concluded that I needed to purchase specific "Yom Kippur" shoes. Scrolling through Amazon, I searched for one that could be easily kicked off during davening, so at least for shul my un-shod feet would suffer in the deep pile carpeting.
(If anyone asks why not Crocs: Crocs are the biggest travesty to footwear out there. They are not flattering, they don't hold feet securely, and children have been caught in escalators. They should be shot.)
But after purchasing five pairs of synthetic shoes, all gave me great pain or were otherwise unwearable. They are all being returned.
Since I have cut myself off from my beloved Converse, I suppose I'll make do with some sad Keds in the back of my closet. For the sensitivity.
Crocs are definitely not flattering...but they cause hammertoe??
ReplyDeleteA couple years back a certain rabbi actually "banned" crocs from being worn on yom kippur b/c he said they were too comfortable. Most rabbonim didnt agree with him. On topics like these most rabbonim will tell you that there is no need to make oneself unduly uncomfortable.
ReplyDeleteI didn't say one shouldn't wear Crocs because they are too comfortable. They are just the most disgustingly unflattering footwear since the dawn of time. One should be aware of the ground, and since being shoeless is for me anyway the most comfortable way to be, I kick off whatever shoe I'm wearing.
ReplyDeleteI was sure I found some documentation before on Crocs causing hammertoe, but I can't now. Maybe to avoid getting sued I'll change that point.
But shoes like flip-flops do cause hammertoe because they don't hold the foot securely.
I agree with you princess lea on the matter of crocs being the most unaesthetic and do not provide any support nor comfort...
ReplyDeleteAs to Yom Kippur shoes, is it such a thing as being too comfortable on YK when you're fasting all day and miserable anyways???
And where is the obligation to look faltering or wear faltering footwear on YK?
ReplyDeleteSome might argue that wearing sneakers in shul is just as much as a travesty... both with regards to kavod of a shul and fashion.
I understand you argument and derision of crocs, but I do wonder. If you plan on taking off you "shoes" anyway wouldn't crocs be the perfect shoe for that purpose?
SiBsW, are you sure you're Hungarian? One thing I was raised with is that looking unchic is never an option, no matter what agony awaits.
ReplyDeleteThere you have it, Yedid, my grandmotherly advice: "Rather barefoot than Crocs."
I never said my mother would agree with that sentiment. ;-) I suppose Hungarian males just don’t hold themselves to such high standards... :-P
ReplyDeleteAlthough, I should add, if a formidable designer made an unappealing yet comfortable shoes they would be probably be a hit. Oh, wait, they already have one: Tods! Would that imply that chic is more of a function of perception, exclusivity, and price? Perhaps. Wearing crocs nowadays isn’t cool, but the first person who did probably was.
Hungarian males don't hold themselves to such high standards? Tsk tsk. You haven't met my fineshmecker brother, apparently. Nor my father, aka Imelda Marcos (granted, everything in his closet was purchased by females).
ReplyDeleteSince when are Tod's unappealing? They are quite chinosh, thank you very much! Unless you mean the driving mocs? Those are a tad shapeless, I'll grant you.
The first person to wear Cros was laughable, not cool.
cud u even daven bare foot? isnt that a problem?
ReplyDeleteIf the floor has carpeting then that counts as a layer between the foot and the floor.
ReplyDeleteWow, I was wondering if I'd ever come across someone who had the same rabid hatred for Crocs that I do! And here we are, two people! You've made my night! It's taken me years!
ReplyDeleteCrocs and Uggs must die.
ReplyDelete